Viet Nam 2007 Trip Planned!! June 25 - July 7
In January, I spent 5 days in Da Nang with a good friend
visiting the center and meeting with the staff.
I was extremely pleased to see the work that they were doing for the
children. The video to the right includes
more detail about the Street Children Center, the Center for the Blind and Deaf,
and the World Heritage sites around Da Nang (
http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/list/v.html).
Thanks to Carolyn for the voice over!
A chocolate bar to whoever can spot Derek and Michael from our previous
trips!
So what is it that we can help out with you ask?
At each center, we have identified specific needs.
Some of them we are sure to do, some depends on who comes with us and
their
qualifications, and some that we call at work, stretch goals.
Street Children Center
·
Purchase
and install 10 additional computers
·
Help the children with
English, and at the same time learn some Vietnamese ourselves
·
Paint the existing wall
enclosure at the entrance
·
Possibly paint part of the
children’s home
·
Possible sports summer camp?
I have not talked to them about this yet…
· Purchase and install 20 additional computers
· Possibly help the children with their English
· Possible physical therapy?
I have not talked to them about this yet…
Now the question, is how can you help?
· There is of course, a financial need, I’m sure
you already knew that by now<g>. We
need to obtain about 30 computers.
At a cost of $200-300, this is $6000-9000.
We already have about $4000.
Since this is a grass roots type of project, 100% of any money donated will go
directly to obtaining the computers, desks, and paint.
Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated.
· Although there is a financial need, an even
better need is to have you come with
us! The travels plans are
still not defined. To fly into Da
Nang round trip from Seattle, is about $1300.
Some of us may decide to reduce the costs by taking the train from Ho Chi
Minh or Hanoi to Da Nang instead and immersing ourselves in the culture.
Costs of a hotel is about $35/night.
Food is about $15/day. We
will most likely be in country for 10 days.
Although I would like to keep everyone busy for the time that we are
there, there is plenty of places to visit in our time off that is very close…Da
Nang…China Beach…My Son…Hue. All of
which includes sites, food, shopping, and immersing within the culture of Viet
Nam. You may decide to spend some
additional time, or not stay the entire time in Da Nang and travel elsewhere in
Southeast Asia. Everything is very
flexible.
If you are interested in helping, or better yet, going with
us, I would love to hear from you!
Each time I travel back to Viet Nam, I am amazed at what there is to see, do and
learn. If you have never been, you
will be completely amazed at what you thought of Viet Nam, and what actually is
the real Viet Nam.
Don Funk
425-703-0607 (work)
425-788-0624 (home)
425-984-4983 (cell)